Women's Bowling | 1/16/2026 10:06:00 PM
NEW CASTLE, Del. – North Carolina A&T did not do it with a high pin total, but the Aggies got it done. The A&T bowling team, the 13th-ranked team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) Top 25 poll, returned to action after its annual lengthy break over the holidays and went 5-0 at the 2026 Northeast Classic hosted by Sacred Heart University.
Three of those wins were against nationally ranked teams. The Aggies totaled 4,877 pins on Friday during Baker format play at Bowlerama to place 10th overall with an average of 195.1. Sixth-ranked Wichita State leads the tournament with a total pinfall of 5,301, followed by top-ranked Jacksonville State (5,291), second-ranked Vanderbilt (5,094), 10th-ranked Maryville (5,059), and fifth-ranked Louisiana Tech (5,059) in the top five.
A&T started the day against Holy Family University. The Aggies started the semester well, out-pinning the Tigers 371-321 over the first two games. It only got better from there as the Tigers faltered, totaling only 443 pins over the final three games. Meanwhile, the Aggies accelerated in the fourth game to clinch the 912-764 win with a 222 total pinfall.
Third-ranked Arkansas State was up next for the Aggies. The two nationally ranked teams had a tight battle over the first three games. The Aggies led by only one pin, 587-586, after the first three contests. However, A&T took over the match by out-pinning the Red Wolves 205-166 in the fourth game.
Despite Arkansas State out-pinning the Aggies 193-166 in the fifth game, the Aggies claimed the 958-945 win over the Red Wolves. The Aggies followed their victory over the third-ranked team in the nation with a dominating win over Wilmington University. The Aggies cruised to a 966-774 win as they got stronger down the stretch by knocking down 632 pins.
Another ranked team awaited the Aggies next in 12th-ranked Wright State. A&T went over 1,000 pins for the first time on Friday, blazing to a fantastic start with a total pinfall of 645 over the first three games. Despite a 169 in the third game, the Raiders remained close with a 577 total pinfall over the first three games.
But the Aggies remained strong throughout the match, closing with a 214 in Game 5 to win 1,047-926. Traditional power McKendree became the Aggies' final opponent of the day. A&T got off to another good start, this time against the 19th-ranked Bearcats. The Aggies out-pinned the Bearcats 595-541. A&T also closed out strong, totaling 399 pins over the final two games to defeat McKendree 994-892.
The Aggies return to action Saturday morning, competing in five traditional game matches starting at 9:25.
